About Us
So here's the thing about deals—they're messy. People get emotional. Numbers don't always add up the way they should. That's where we come in. We're a bunch of folks who've spent years in the thick of mergers and acquisitions, and honestly? We got tired of watching smart business owners fumble through it alone. Catalyst Strategic exists because we figured out something important: you need someone in your corner who actually knows what they're doing. Not someone reading from a playbook. Someone who's been burned before, learned from it, and can help you avoid the same traps. We work with companies that are ready to make big moves—whether that's buying, selling, or just figuring out what the heck their business is worth.
Over time, we’ve built a reputation for reliability, quality, and clear communication. We treat each project as a partnership and aim for outcomes that last.
Our Core Values
The principles that guide everything we do
Brutal Honesty
We tell you what we actually think, even when you don't want to hear it. Sugar-coating doesn't close good deals—it creates problems. You hired us to be straight with you.
Real Experience
None of our team's stuck behind a desk crunching spreadsheets all day. We've bought companies. We've sold them. We've watched deals implode and figured out why.
Your Interests First
We don't win when the deal closes—we win when you're actually happy with what happened. Our fees align with your outcome, not with how many meetings we can bill.
Keep It Simple
If we can't explain it in plain English, we don't understand it well enough. You shouldn't need a dictionary to understand your own deal.
Our Mission
Help mid-market companies navigate M&A with clarity and grit. We cut through the noise, ask the hard questions, and make sure you're not getting screwed. Our job's simple: be the adults in the room so you can actually sleep at night.
Our Vision
A world where business owners understand every decision they're making in a deal—not because they have an MBA, but because someone explained it right. We're building that world one transaction at a time.
Our Approach
Our approach combines proven methods with modern tools. We start with discovery, align on goals, plan clearly, and execute with quality checks at every step.
Meet Our Team
The people behind Catalyst Strategic
We’re a team that values ownership, clarity, and growth. We celebrate wins, learn fast, and keep client outcomes at the center.
Alexandru Popescu
Founder & Senior Advisor
Spent 18 years buying and selling businesses before starting Catalyst. Led the acquisition of three mid-market tech firms. Sits on the board of two Romanian manufacturing companies. Drinks espresso and reads about industrial consolidation for fun.
Ioana Mihai
Head of Due Diligence
Former controller at a PE-backed distribution company. She finds the problems nobody else spots—the inventory discrepancies, the customer concentration risk, the lease obligations buried in footnotes. Meticulous. Doesn't miss things.
Radu Georgescu
Deal Structuring & Finance
Banker for 12 years before joining us. Built the financial models that actually work. Understands earnout mechanics, tax optimization, and when a price tag is just fantasy. Gets animated talking about working capital adjustments.
Our Story
We started Catalyst Strategic back in 2011 because the three of us kept running into the same problem at different advisory firms. Clients weren't getting straight answers. Instead, they got jargon and hand-holding that felt like theater. So we quit. Built this from nothing, just us and a shared belief that M&A advice shouldn't feel like you need a translator. Thirteen years in, we've closed deals worth over €340 million. We've also walked away from deals that would've been disasters. That's the kind of track record that matters.
Why Choose Us
Experienced Team
Our professionals have decades of combined experience. We've seen it all and know how to handle any challenge.
Quality Guaranteed
We stand behind our work with comprehensive guarantees. If you're not satisfied, we'll make it right.
Fair Pricing
Transparent, competitive pricing with no hidden fees. You'll always know exactly what you're paying for.
Proven Results
Thousands of satisfied customers and a track record of successful projects speak for themselves.